COVID-19 Testing: What Happens on Arrival?

Last Updated on: March 7, 2023 at 9:27 am

Here is a guide on the different Covid-19 testing methods and how they vary from one another.

2020 has been a year of absolute insanity. And with all the craziness going on, you may be one of the millions of people planning an international getaway to give yourself some space.

We see people wanting to get away to see family, kickstart their business or indeed just to relax and unwind. We certainly do.

But could you imagine – a few days before your trip you test positive for COVID-19? Or right when you arrive at your destination?

These situations are being faced by travellers daily. But they can be dealt with in positive ways that better your chances of having an awesome trip without COVID-19 coming along. With these fears in mind, you probably have some questions about Covid-19 testing…

Getting tested before you leave for your trip should be a top priority, especially with the various travel restrictions in place. In fact, some countries will require you to be tested as soon as you arrive if you want to set foot in your intended destination.

And in addition to getting tested most countries now require quarantine or a limited itinerary on arrival.  Our route checker lets you know the current arrival process so you know in advance what to expect on travel restrictions

It’s important to comply with these requests, as demonstrating you’re in good health may help you avoid travel bans in some parts of the world.

To help your Covid-19 testing experience go smoothly, we’ve compiled information on everything you’ll need to know before you go…

What are the different types of testing?

There are two main types of Covid-19 testing being used around the world to determine if you’re currently infected with COVID-19. Both tests are considered diagnostic tests and require a nasal or throat swab sample…so be prepared.

1) Antigen Test (Deep Nasal Swab)

The most common form of Covid-19 testing is the nasal swab for both adults and children. You can have this test administered by a professional or use a self-testing kit to turn in.

Antigen tests focus on searching for surface proteins on the virus. And thanks to the way this test works, results can be obtained in a few minutes if rapid testing is required.

Therefore, antigen testing is one of the cheapest kinds of tests, but also more likely to miss an active COVID infection.

2) PCR Test

PCR testing is similar to the antigen test, except that medical professionals are looking for viral genetic material rather than surface proteins.

For this test the person in charge of performing your testing will obtain a sample from your nose or throat. Compared to the antigen test, this test takes a little longer to get results but is also a more accurate test.

3) Antibody Testing

Antibody tests search for COVID antibodies in your bloodstream to determine if you’ve went through a previous infection. Although they are not currently used as a screening test for entry, these tests are a handy way to know if you have had the virus in the past and carrying an immunity. Rest assured though, if your antibodies test comes back positive this doesn’t mean you can’t travel.

What should you expect if you’re tested?

If you’re having a nasal swab test administered professionally, you’ll be asked to blow your nose to clear the passage. Then, a medical professional will ask you to tilt your head slightly, which will help them administer the test effectively. And a long swab will be inserted into your nose to get a sample from the back of your sinuses.

If you’re administering the test yourself with a kit, there will be instructions that come with your package.

How to prepare for testing?

While there is little you need to do before taking a COVID-19 test, there are some things that you may want to know beforehand. This includes the type of test you’ll be taking, what processes you can expect, and where the test will be administered.

If you’re having Covid-19 testing done by a professional, be prepared for a little discomfort as the nasal swab makes its way back into your sinuses to retrieve a sample. It’s crucial for the swab to stay in place for several seconds to acquire an adequate sample size. One suggestion to ease any discomfort is to keep your eyes closed. But know that Covid-19 testing is more of an annoyance than it is painful. In addition, you’ll likely be expected to wear a mask which you’ll be asked to remove prior to being tested.

If you are taking the Covid-19 test before traveling, you should take some precautions to prevent an infection just before your big trip. If you are currently in a Covid-19 hotspot, a good way to reduce the chance of a positive test is to quarantine yourself for about 1 week before the test as well as wearing protective items for your flight.

What is the expected cost of testing?

In most destinations you will be expected to pay for a Covid-19 test; sometimes the test will be before they allow you into the country, for others it may be at any time during an imposed quarantine period.  The WHO believes today that most tests are accurate after 8 days from infection – so do not be surprised if the authorities request tests well after you’ve arrived in the country. 

The cost to have a Covid-19 test administered varies depending on where you are being tested. For example, in France, a test can cost 135 Euros, and in Singapore the test will cost you up to $200 (Singapore Dollars) but, as with most countries requiring testing, payment can be made with credit cards and in advance. Our travel restrictions pages provides relevant links to further information on testing – and if we are missing one, let us know!

What should you do if you get a positive result?

First off, take a deep breath. If you do not feel in anyway ill, the first thing you might want to consider is requesting a second test or asking whether the positive test has been re-tested. Although the chances of false positives are relatively low, for a PCR test it is thought to be 5% or lower and for Antigen tests it is closer to zero, it may be worth you push for a confirmation test if the alternative is a significant cost to you.

Regardless of the result at the time, a positive test result is something you need to consider before you leave. A well-prepared traveller will weather a COVID case better than an unprepared traveller and ensure you are in the best situation to look at yourself and recover.

To help with your preparation in view of Covid-19 testing results, we recommend thinking about three key areas:

• Basic health care. For 4 in 5 people the infection is mild or asymptomatic, which means you will most likely be able to self-manage the situation. If you are in a quarantine facility or serving a stay-at-home notice, it may be hard to get your favourite “flu kit” delivered to you, so pack your essentials. In some countries, you will be required to stay in your quarantine facility, or move to a different dedicated facility, until you receive a negative result and this stay will be at your cost. 
• Medical treatment. If you require more dedicated care, the good news is the global medical community are getting better all the time at treating COVID-19. The bad news is that you are probably going to have to take on the cost unless you meet criteria for national healthcare systems or funding solutions. At the time of writing, there are very few insurance options for medical treatment relating to COVID-19 when the case is imported which means you, or your sponsor, will need to pick up the cost.
• Financial planning. A key part of your planning is who will pay and how?  You will need to ensure you have sufficient funds, how to get access to your funds if required and who can take over if you are incapacitated.

Finally, it’s important to remember there is a growing number of travellers.  The number of international passenger numbers, according to ICAO, are up 10x vs April and many of those travelling remain without incidence.

Anxious about travelling? Use Covid Entry Check to navigate through all that travel restrictions, green lane and travel route information. And when you’re ready to start booking, head over to TruTrip.co.

Covid Entry Check is powered by TruTrip, a powerful, customisable travel management platform that streamlines all the tools needed to manage business travel your way. With a free-to-use entry level platform, we aim to serve businesses of all sizes. Learn more about TruTrip at TruTrip.co